Washington, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will meet US President Donald Trump on March 19 to discuss a wide range of mutual security concerns...

Washington, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will meet US President Donald Trump on March 19 to discuss a wide range of mutual security concerns in the Latin American region including the situation in Venezuela, a White House statement on Saturday said. "President Donald Trump will welcome President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil to the White House on Tuesday, March 19, 2019," to discuss how to build a more prosperous, secure, and democratic Western Hemisphere… and they will talk about the major role that the United States and Brazil are playing in the effort to provide humanitarian assistance to Venezuela," statement added. Trump and Bolsonaro will also discuss opportunities for defence cooperation, pro-growth trade policies and combating transnational crime.

Brazil has become a host nation for Venezuelan refugees and has also been a partner with the United States as Washington tries to deliver humanitarian aid into Venezuela. Brazil has also been host to the Lima Group, which recently held a meeting in the country to address the Venezuelan crisis. On February 23, the Venezuelan opposition tried to force US-sponsored aid into the country through the borders with Colombia and Brazil. The failed attempt sparked clashes between Venezuelan officers, who prevented trucks from crossing without permission, and pro-aid protesters. Tensions in Venezuela escalated in January when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself to be the country's interim president. The United States immediately recognised Guaido, seized billions of dollars' worth of the country's oil assets and threatened to use military action against Maduro's government. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia and a number of other countries have reaffirmed their support for Maduro as Venezuela's only legitimate president.